Konoha.
The Senju Clan compound.
Upon hearing Chiba’s words, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked as though he had swallowed a handful of kunai.
The age spots on his face trembled violently.
He could not squeeze out even a single word about the Will of Fire he so often preached.
Too arrogant.
This was not the tone of someone seeking a negotiation.
It was a condescending interrogation!
The surrounding clan leaders fell as silent as cicadas in winter.
Suffocating pressure filled the air.
These powerful leaders, who usually held their heads high, had all been struck mute.
Chiba’s casual question had revealed a terrifying attitude.
This young man bearing the Senju name did not respect Konoha’s leadership in the slightest!
Nara Shikaku stood at the back of the crowd, his brilliant mind racing.
Cold sweat ran down his temples and dripped into the soil.
He understood perfectly well that the power Chiba had just displayed was enough to destroy the entire village.
But even more terrifying than his power was his conduct.
He had rebuilt the Senju compound without the slightest hesitation and mercilessly mocked the Hokage.
This was more than a show of authority.
It was a declaration that a king had returned!
Nara Shikaku glanced at Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza beside him.
Akimichi Choza’s ever-present bag of chips had long since fallen to the ground.
Yamanaka Inoichi was even paler, his eyes fixed on the magnificent wooden estate.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio had always been staunch supporters of the Hokage’s faction.
But now, Nara Shikaku was wavering.
The legitimate heir of the Senju Clan had returned, bringing with him a terrifying presence that perhaps even the First Hokage had not possessed.
Konoha’s power structure was about to be shaken to its foundations.
Which side should Ino–Shika–Chō choose?
If they chose incorrectly, their clans would be doomed beyond redemption!
On the other side, Sarutobi Hiruzen stared intently at Chiba.
He desperately suppressed the fear and anger in his heart.
He could not defeat him.
There was absolutely no chance of defeating him.
That several-hundred-meter-tall wooden giant alone could grind everyone present into paste!
He had to stabilize the situation.
As Hokage, he absolutely could not lose his dignity in front of the various clans.
“Hehehe…”
“Chiba.”
“Since you possess the Senju Clan’s bloodline, this was your home to begin with.”
“Returning home to renovate the estate naturally doesn’t count as trespassing in a restricted area.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally forced out a smile uglier than crying.
His voice was painfully dry, like two rusted iron plates scraping against each other.
“What happened earlier was merely a misunderstanding.”
“The village bears you no ill will.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen backed down.
He had no choice.
The strength Chiba displayed had far exceeded his wildest estimates.
Only one thought remained in Sarutobi Hiruzen’s mind.
Leave this place.
Leave immediately!
He needed to return to the Hokage’s office and reassess Chiba’s threat level.
Shimura Danzo, standing behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, also remained silent.
His sole remaining eye stared at the ground, not even daring to look at Chiba.
Resentment.
Humiliation.
And profound greed.
Those emotions writhed in Shimura Danzo’s heart like venomous snakes.
Chiba’s Wood Release!
It was truly perfect Wood Release!
If Danzo could capture Chiba, bring him into Root, drain his blood, and dissect his body, he would surely obtain power surpassing even the First Hokage!
But Shimura Danzo was no fool.
He understood the present situation better than anyone.
Against a monster capable of summoning a hundred-meter wooden giant at will, his precious Root was utterly worthless.
He had to endure.
He would wait for Chiba to expose an opening, then deliver a fatal blow!
“Hiruzen is right.”
“It was all a misunderstanding.”
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura hurriedly agreed.
The two usually imperious advisors were so frightened that their legs trembled.
They feared death more than anyone and wanted only to escape this dangerous place as quickly as possible.
“Since the misunderstanding has been resolved, we won’t disturb your rest.”
“Another day, I’ll formally welcome you at the Hokage Building.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen seized the opportunity to withdraw and began to turn away.
At the sight, the leaders of the various clans secretly breathed sighs of relief.
It was fortunate that a conflict had not erupted.
They also urgently needed to return to their clans, hold emergency meetings, and discuss how to respond.
“Did I say you could leave?”
At that moment, a calm yet overwhelmingly authoritative voice rang in everyone’s ears.
Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.
Cold sweat instantly broke out across Sarutobi Hiruzen’s back.
He stiffly turned his head and met Chiba’s calm eyes.
“Hokage-sama may leave.”
“The clan leaders may leave as well.”
Chiba stood on the steps, looking down at Konoha’s power holders.
He slowly raised his right hand, moved his finger past Sarutobi Hiruzen, and pointed at the sinister old dog whose arm was wrapped in bandages.
“But he…”
“Must stay.”
The entire area fell deathly silent.
Everyone’s gaze instantly focused on Shimura Danzo.
Danzo’s single eye widened, his pupil contracting violently.
Being singled out in public as though he were a dog instantly ignited the fury in his heart.
“I am a high-ranking elder of Konoha!”
“I am the leader of Root!”
“You, a mere junior, dare speak to me with such an attitude?”
“Senju Chiba, do you intend to betray the village?”
Shimura Danzo roared and abruptly stepped forward.
His bloodshot eye stared fixedly at Chiba.
With his first words, he had branded Chiba with a grave accusation.
No one in the village had ever dared challenge his authority in public!
Sarutobi Hiruzen inwardly cursed in alarm.
That idiot Danzo!
Could he not understand the situation?
Was he trying to drag everyone to their deaths by provoking Chiba now?
“Danzo!
Shut up!”
Sarutobi Hiruzen rebuked him sternly.
Then he put on a kindly expression and looked at Chiba.
“Chiba.”
“Danzo has always had a temper.”
“He only acts this way for the good of the village.”
“For my sake, let’s put an end to today’s matter.”
Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to smooth things over once more.
But Chiba completely ignored him.
His gaze remained fixed on Danzo’s bandaged right arm.
The ninja from the surrounding clans silently retreated several steps, opening a circle around them.
Uchiha Fugaku stood among the crowd and looked coldly at Shimura Danzo.
He wished Chiba would simply kill the old bastard.
Most of the grievances the Uchiha Clan had suffered over the years had come courtesy of Root.
Aburame Shibi pushed up his sunglasses.
The parasitic insects beneath his large coat emitted an excited hum.
Inuzuka Tsume calmed her agitated ninken, a mocking smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
No one cared whether Danzo lived or died.
Many even hoped Chiba would deal harshly with this old rat hiding in the gutter.
Chiba slowly descended the steps.
Step.
Step.
Each step seemed to land on everyone’s heart.
Thump.
Thump.
The immense pressure bore down on them like a physical weight.
Shimura Danzo subconsciously retreated half a step.
That half-step filled him with unprecedented humiliation.
He was actually afraid of a mere brat!
“What are you trying to do?”
Danzo’s voice was stern, but his weakness was obvious.
Several Root ninja concealed in the shadows instantly appeared before him.
They drew their short blades one after another and aimed them at Chiba as though facing a formidable enemy.